Fastener
A fastener is provided including a bolt. The bolt has a head and a threaded shank extending from the head. The threaded shank is dimensioned to co-operate with a predetermined threaded bore, with the free end of the shank remote from the head being provided with an end cap and the end cap having a yieldable formation to engage frictionally with the threaded bore.
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This application claims priority to British patent application 0307644.5, filed Apr. 2, 2003 and PCT/SE2004/000044, filed Jan. 16, 2004.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a fastener which may be useful in securing in position, within a vehicle, an air-bag of the “inflatable curtain” type.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA conventional inflatable curtain air-bag, when initially assembled, is contained within a long package, with a plurality of mounting lugs extending from the package. Each mounting lug is to be secured to an appropriate mount provided within a motor vehicle. If each mount is in the form of a threaded hole which is to receive a bolt passing through the lug, it is often difficult for the package to be held in position whilst the bolts are introduced through the lugs and engaged with the threaded bores.
The present invention seeks to provide an improved fastener useful for securing an air-bag in position in a motor vehicle, and may also be useful for many other applications.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a fastener including a bolt, the bolt having a head and a threaded shank extending from the head, the threaded shank being dimensioned to co-operate with a predetermined threaded bore, the free end of the shank remote from the head being provided with an end cap, the end cap having a yieldable formation to engage frictionally with the threaded bore.
Preferably, the end cap is a separate component which is secured to the bolt.
Advantageously, the end cap is rotatably mounted on the bolt.
Conveniently, the shank of the bolt is provided with an axially extending projection having an enlarged head, the cap having an internal bore dimensioned to receive the projection and the head.
Preferably, the end cap is provided with a plurality of radially outwardly extending flanges.
Advantageously, at least some of the flanges have a diameter greater than the diameter of the threaded shank of the bolt.
Conveniently, at least some of the flanges have chamfered leading edges.
Preferably, at least some of the flanges are segmented.
Advantageously, at least a terminal flange has a diameter less than that of succeeding flanges.
The present invention also provides a method of mounting an inflatable curtain in position in a motor vehicle, the method comprising the steps of utilizing a fastener as defined above, inserting the end cap of the fastener as a frictional fit into a threaded bore and subsequently tightening the bolt into the threaded bore.
In order that the invention may be more readily understood, and so that further feature thereof may be appreciated, the invention will be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Referring initially to
When the inflatable curtain air-bag 2 is to be mounted in the motor vehicle, typically, the inflatable curtain is in the form of a package subassembly, with the mounting lugs 8 and 9 protruding from the package. The mounting lugs 8 and 9 are to be aligned with corresponding threaded apertures formed in the A post 4, roof line 5, and C post 6 of the vehicle, and bolts are to be passed through the apertures and the apertured lugs to be engaged with the corresponding threaded apertures in the vehicle. It may require considerable manual dexterity for a single operative to hold the subassembly package air-bag in position and locate the bolts appropriately.
The fastener includes a bolt 10 which is provided, in the described embodiment, with a separated end cap 20. The end cap 20 has radially outwardly directed flanges adapted to effect a friction fit with a threaded bore dimensioned to receive the threaded part of the bolt.
Thus, in using the fastener of this invention, each fastener may be swiftly engaged with a threaded aperture simply by inserting the end cap 20 into a threaded aperture. Subsequently, the bolt 10 may be tightened in the conventional way.
The exterior of the cylindrical body 21 is provided with a plurality of radially outwardly directed flanges 23. The flanges 23 are evenly spaced along the length of the body 21. The flanges 23 have an outer diameter which is at least the same as the outer diameter of the threaded shank 12 of the bolt 10, but preferably at least some of the flanges 23 have a diameter greater than the diameter of the threaded shank 12 of the bolt 10.
As can be seen in
As can be seen more clearly in
It can be seen, from
A ridge 29 extends axially passing between adjacent flange sections.
It is to be appreciated that when a fastener of the kind shown in
When all of the fasteners have been inserted in position in this way, the frictional grip effected by the fasteners to the threaded bores provided in the motor vehicle will be sufficient to hold the inflatable curtain air-bag 2 in position. Using a spanner, and applying further axial pressure, the threaded shank 12 of the bolt 10 of a fastener may then be brought into engagement with the threaded aperture and the bolt may be fastened in the conventional manner.
Whilst one embodiment of a fastener in accordance with the invention has been described, it is to be appreciated that many modifications may be effected. For example, the end cap 20 and the bolt 10 may be formed integrally, being molded of a single piece of appropriate plastic material. Whilst the end cap 20 has been illustrated as having substantially planar flanges 23, it is to be appreciated that the flanges may be angled in the form of barbs. Also it is to be appreciated that the end cap 20 may be provided with some other yieldable engagement structure to engage frictionally with the threaded bores. Thus the end cap 20 may be provided with an outer covering of a foam material, for example.
While the above description constitutes the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope and fair meaning of the accompanying claims.
Claims
1. A fastener assembly for installation into a first bore, the fastener assembly comprising a bolt having a longitudinal axis, a bolt head, and a threaded shank extending from the bolt head, the shank terminating with an axially extending projection having an enlarged head, an end cap mounted on the axially extending projection of the shank remote from the bolt head, the end cap having an internal second bore dimensioned to receive the axially extending projection and the enlarged head, the end cap and the axially extending projection cooperating to be maintained in an assembled condition, the end cap is configured to be rotatable about the axis of the bolt, the end cap having a yieldable formation including a plurality of radially outwardly extending flanges to engage frictionally with the first bore when the end cap and the bolt are inserted axially into the first bore to retain the fastener assembly in the first bore, whereby the threaded shank of the bolt is configured to engage with the first bore when an axial pressure is applied to the fastener assembly.
2. A fastener assembly according to claim 1 wherein the end cap is a separate component which is secured to the bolt.
3. A fastener assembly according to claim 1 wherein at least some of the flanges have a diameter greater than the diameter of the threaded shank.
4. A fastener assembly according to claim 1 wherein at least some of the flanges have chamfered leading edges.
5. A fastener assembly according to claim 1 wherein at least some of the flanges are segmented.
6. A fastener assembly according to claim 1 wherein at least a terminal flange of the flanges has a diameter less than that of succeeding flange of the flanges.
7. A fastener assembly according to claim 1 wherein the end cap is made from a plastic material.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Jan 16, 2004
Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
Patent Publication Number: 20060239795
Assignee: Autoliv Development AB (Vargarda)
Inventors: Håkan Jaconelli (Alingsås), Jonas Malmenslam (Alingsås)
Primary Examiner: Flemming Saether
Attorney: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione
Application Number: 10/551,626
International Classification: F16B 35/00 (20060101);